Section 23. Cognizance of offences.

(1) Any aggrieved woman, an office-bearer of a trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926 (16 of 1926) of which such woman is a member or a voluntary organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or an Inspector, may file a complaint regarding the commission of an offence under this Act in any court of competent jurisdiction and no such complaint shall be filed after the expiry of one year from the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.

(2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act].

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Page 2

1. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-9-1971).
2. 1st November, 1963, vide notification No. S.O. 2920 (E), dated 5th October, 1963, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary,Part II, sec. 3 (ii).
3. Subs. by Act 52 of 1973, s. 2, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 1-3-1975).
4. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 2, for the opening paragraph (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
5. Subs. by Act 21 of 1972, s. 2, for “Nothing contained in this Act” (w.e.f. 1-6-1972).
6. Subs. by Act 53 of 1976, s. 2, for “section 5A” (w.e.f. 1-5-1976).
7. Ins. by Act 52 of 1973, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-3-1975).

Page 3

1. Ins. by Act 6 of 2017, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-4-2017).
2. Subs. by Act 52 of 1973, s. 4, for clause (e) (w.e.f. 1-3-1975).
3. The word “or” omitted by Act 61 of 1988, s. 3 (w.e.f. 10-1-1988).
4. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-1988).
5. Ins. by Act 29 of 1995, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-2-1996).

Page 4

1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1995, s. 3, for “or her miscarriage” (w.e.f. 1-2-1996).
2. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 4, for the opening paragraph (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “or one rupee a day, whichever is higher.” (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “one hundred and sixty days” (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).

Page 5

1. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 4, for “one hundred and sixty days” (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
2. Subs. by, s. 4, ibid., for the days for which she has been laid off” (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
4. Subs. by Act 6 of 2017, s. 3 for ‘‘twelve weeks of which not more than six weeks’’ (w.e.f. 1-4-2017).
5. Ins. by s. 3, ibid (w.e.f. 1-4-2017).
6. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “Provided that” (w.e.f. 1-4-2017)
7. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 4, for the second proviso (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
8. Subs. by Act 6 of 2017, s. 3 for “Provided further that” (w.e.f. 1-4-2017).
9. Ins. by, s. 3, ibid (w.e.f. 1-4-2017).10. Ins. by Act 21 of 1972, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-6-1972).11. Ins. by Act 53 of 1976, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-5-1976).

Page 6

1. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 5, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
2. Subs. by Act 15 of 2008, s. 2, for section 8 (w.e.f. 15-4-2008).
3. Subs. by Act 29 of 1995, s. 4, for section 9 (w.e.f. 1-2-1996).
4. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1996).

Page 7

1. Subs. by Act 29 of 1995, s. 6, for “or miscarriage” (w.e.f. 1-2-1996).
2. Ins. by Act 6 of 2017, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-7-2017).
3. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 7, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).

Page 8

1. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 8, for sub-sections (1) and (2) (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
2. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for sub-section (5) (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).

Page 9

1. Subs. by Act 61 of 1988, s. 9, for section 21 (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
2. Subs. by s. 10, ibid., for “which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees”(w.e.f. 10-1-1989).
3. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for section 23 (w.e.f. 10-1-1989).

Page 10

1. Subs. by Act 52 of 1973, s. 5, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-3-1975).